7 IITs, 16 IIITs And 390 Universities Have Been Set Up: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Skill India Mission has trained 1.4 crore youth, upskilled and reskilled 54 lakh youth.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (File Photo)

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Interim Budget today, February 1, 2024. This budget delineates the government's strategies until the next one following the 2024 elections. During her budget speech, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "The Skill India Mission has trained 1.4 crore youth, upskilled and re-skilled 54 lakh youth, and established 3000 new ITIs. A large number of institutional higher learning, namely 7 IITs, 16 IIITs, 7 IIMs, 15 AIIMS and 390 Universities have been set up."

The country is proud of our youth scaling new heights in sports. The highest-ever medal tally in Asian Games and Asian Para Games in 2023 reflects a high confidence level. Chess prodigy and our no.1 ranked player Praggnanandhaa up a stiff fight against the reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen in 2023. Today, India has over 80 Chess Grandmasters compared to a little over 20 in 2010,” she added.

''Our govt plans to set up more medical colleges by utilising the existing hospital infrastructure under various departments. A committee for this purpose would be set up to examine the issues and make relevant recommendations,” FM Sitharaman said in her Budget speech.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also highlighted that female enrollment in higher education has risen by 28 percent over the past decade. In line with tradition, Sitharaman met with President Droupadi Murmu before unveiling the pre-election Budget for 2024-25 at Rashtrapati Bhawan. President Murmu extended her best wishes, and the cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is anticipated to endorse the fiscal year 2024-25 budget prior to its presentation in Parliament.

The Interim Budget 2024, presented by Sitharaman, will be effective for the initial four months of the upcoming fiscal year commencing in April. This interim budget operates as a vote on account, seeking parliamentary approval for advance grants to cover the central government's expenditures.